Ukraine: Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov Calls for Elections

The Ukrainian Parliament, the Rada, will reconvene on August 18, 2026, following a one-month summer break. On that day, President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted his choices for the positions of Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs, appointing Yevhen Khmara and Andriy Sibyha, respectively. Lawmakers must now confirm or reject these appointments.

Mykhailo Fedorov, sacked as Defense Minister by Zelensky in July, responded by calling for elections in Ukraine despite the Russian invasion. He views this initiative as essential for restoring the democratic process in the country. Fedorov made this statement during a speech broadcast on August 18, underlining that 'democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia.'

The circumstances surrounding his dismissal, which triggered a wave of protests, partly led to a political crisis in Ukraine. Many people in Ukraine are calling for Fedorov's return to the post of Defense Minister following his popular departure backed by demonstrations.

Fedorov's speech also highlighted the impact of the ongoing martial law, which prohibits holding elections during wartime. He thus considers it necessary to find a solution to this situation while demanding elections to revive democracy in the country.

Fedorov, who enjoys widespread popularity, has crossed a line by calling for elections, a move that heightens the pressure on Zelensky at a particularly sensitive moment due to ongoing fighting with Russia. The Rada members must now confront this request in the current context of conflict.

Fedorov's call has been widely covered by various media, reinforcing the sense of urgency and the expectations of a segment of the Ukrainian population that yearns for a return to a normal political process despite the pressures of war.